If you would understand anything, observe its beginning and its development.
-Aristotle

As History Collides

By Devlyn Steele

As one man’s dream turns to another man’s reality this week, we remember one and watch the other. Today in the United States, we celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. who was assassinated for having a dream. Influenced by Gandhi, he worked and dedicated his life toward a non-violent resistance and his commitment to America’s struggle for civil rights. 

Dr. King had vision of change and a belief that what we do makes a difference. He had complete faith that change would happen and dedicated his life in action of his vision, belief and faith.  Although he did not see the change he envisioned, as his life was taken from him, we are seeing a major result of his vision with the swearing in of President Barack Obama. 

Remember that all through history the way of truth and love has always won. There have been tyrants and murderers and for a time they seem invincible but in the end, they always fall --- think of it, ALWAYS.

-Mahatma Gandhi

Growing up on the upper west side of Manhattan during the 60’s and 70’s I experienced and witnessed the racial divide up close and personal. Not that we do not have more ground to cover, but to imagine the progress that has been achieved by one man’s dream is truly a moment that shakes you up. I don’t know if I should smile, cry, jump, or shake my fist in the air. The emotions and moment are powerful and so many images flash before me.

I could go into great detail of the changes that this represents and the changes that I have seen in my lifetime. My thoughts go behind the accomplishments of civil rights and I see a bigger picture. I see that dreams do come true, and that is huge! That means that my dream of educating and empowering the planet can come true. I believe that education is the ultimate equalizer and that every person should have access to education regardless of race, religion, gender, geographic location or economic status. It means that we can create incredible changes in how we treat each other and the earth we live on. I have a dream.

Wars, violence, injustice, economics, and politics are not easily changed or made better. I know that it can seem at times that things are beyond us. That what we do does not make a difference. It was equally daunting, difficult and beyond his reach, yet Dr. King held true to his dream. You can never believe that what you do does not make a difference.

We need to have a vision of a better life for ourselves and for the planet as a whole. We need to believe that what we do makes a difference. We need to have faith that even when we do not see an immediate impact of what we do, that change will happen. Then we have to take that belief and faith and take action towards our visions.

The bottle you recycle, the door you hold open, the child you read to, makes a difference.

Always keep these four principles as a guiding foundation:

1.      Vision

         Have a vision of the change you want to see

2.      Belief

         Believe that what you do makes a difference

3.      Faith

         Have faith that even though you may not see the changes today, they will come

4.      Action

         Take your vision, belief and faith and channel that into daily action

Tomorrow we see one man’s dream come true, so you have to believe in dreams. So go beyond recognition of the moment. See the bigger picture.  No matter who you voted for, the central theme that everyone began to talk about was “Change.”

Change will not happen by standing on the sidelines waiting for it to happen. Let the inauguration be a signal that inspires us all to get into action and create change together. As Barack Obama takes his oath and becomes President Barack Obama, let’s take our own oath to have a vision of the changes we want to see, and believe that we make a difference. As Dr. King had faith, as we take our oath we will renew our faith. As we swear in, we swear to take action.